Blue Yonder and Morrisons scoop IGD Award

Blue Yonder has picked up the IGD Award for Supply Chain Innovation, for its work with Morrisons.

To improve on-shelf availability, the artificial intelligence specialist implemented a fully automated ordering system (Replenishment Optimisation software) in Morrisons supermarkets. Working across 26,000 SKUs in 491 stores, the new system has generated up to 30% reduction in shelf gaps and two to three days’ decrease in stockholding in-store.

Stuart Smith, Operations Director for Morrisons, says: "We are very pleased that Morrisons and Blue Yonder’s work on the Morrison’s ordering system has been recognised for the way it has improved availability and the customer offer, as well as reducing costs and stock levels."

Prof. Dr. Michael Feindt, Founder of Blue Yonder, comments: “With the Replenishment Optimisation software, we have been able to save staff time, cut stock issues and manage this all from a simple to use platform. Our work with Morrisons to create an automated system has made a pioneering change for the food and grocery sector, and we hope that we will continue to lead the way in such practices.”

Blue Yonder says that Replenishment Optimisation’s demand-planning and forecasting capabilities will over time be able to detect and respond to changing customer demand patterns through AI and machine learning. Morrisons will soon be introducing the software across all product groups starting with Fresh, following a trial before Christmas.

A full list of the winners of the IGD Awards 2017 can be found here.